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GamesCom 2011: Day Two

Every year, issue of whether they'll be a decent wireless connection or not dominates everything. On the first day, I was fortunate to get a password to allow me to access the public wi-fi scot free. Today I wasn't so lucky.

As predicted, yesterday was a more console orientated day. There was a lot to see, most of it interesting, although we'll admit we weren't as pleasantly surprised as we were yesterday.

Namco Bandai:

There was a lot of stuff to see for Namco Bandai – the team behind the new Ridge Racer were showing off the new track creator. It shaping up to be like a Split/Second, which could be good or bad depending on who you ask. Inversion still hasn't sold me – it's a cross between Gears, Red Faction, and despite the nifty gravity manipulation, so far it's looking like a very linear third person action game, just in 3D.

Dark Souls was fairly impressive – whilst presentations that need translators don't always have a good pace to them, it was good to see the game in action. Expect more deaths, more content, and a bigger and better game. Finally there was Armoured Core V, whose new 'Operator' multiplayer feature is intriguing, if possibly a bit limited. More on that later.

Sony Online Entertainment:

S.O.E. weren't a part of the Sony booth, which is something I've always wondered about. Saw a number of different titles for them though, including Bank-robber FPS game PayDay: the Heist, and funky platformers QC Sideways and Rochard. I also had an interview for Planetside 2, so stay tuned for that.

Take-Two:

As ashamed as I am to say it, I've never played Borderlands. Saying that, watching the presentation for Borderlands 2 made we want to go correct that. The same thing happened last year actually when I went to see 2K with Bioshock and Bioshock Infinite. I need to get on that. The Darkness II was also being demo'd, which was showing off a new level, and just reinforced the quad wielding and other elements. Also, Jackie's dad is a whale, and it's all a dream.

Electronic Arts:

Only got to see two games this year – Mass Effect 3 and The Secret World. ME3 wasn't showing off anything new, but it did make me want to play it. Damn them. The Secret World is another interesting MMO coming along that has some neat ideas. Reminds me of APB a little bit although hopefully they'll have better luck this time around.

Focus Home Interactive:

We don't get to see FHI that often, so it's nice to catch up with them every now and then. To be honest, all I wanted from them this year was the Game of Thrones game, but it wasn't even there. Outrageous! Saying that, action/RPG Of Orcs and Men isn't looking that bad, and Wargame: European Escalation also looks pretty interesting. Think of RUSE, without the ruses and with an improved engine.

Trion Worlds:

I think we've done a fair bit of End of Nations coverage this year, but Trion have another MMO project on the way called Defiance. Set in the near future where aliens are trying to colonise Earth (because they can, I assume), this is a sci-fi persistent MMOFPS that's also getting its own TV show. It's also multiplatform.

Microsoft:

All I really can say is that I had an interview with some of the guys from 343 Studios regarding Halo: CE Anniversary Edition. The information from that presentation is embargoed until August 26th. Hint: they are doing a remake of Halo: CE.

It's been a long two days, and it will be an even longer third day. Friday will be my last marathon of appointments, and we're having another PC orientated day. Apart from a short stint with Bethesda and Codemasters (And Darksiders II for THQ), Friday will mainly be dominated by Paradox Interactive, World of Warplanes, Larian, and even Microsoft again for some last minute AOEO action.